Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter world, including Hogwarts, Draco and Ginny. I do own the plot to this, and some of this characters I own as well, but nothing else.
Author's Note: The third chapter! This chapter is kind of a starting point, so excuse the in-between crap. It is also possibly the shortest chapter in the fic, so I apologize for that. And my apologies for making you wait so much; it was really hard to write. Awesome response, guys! Reponses to reviews at the end of the chapter! KTHX. Read on!
It Wasn't Unexpected
Summary: SEQUEL TO MARRIAGE TO A MALFOY Krystal and Michael are in their 5th year at Hogwarts and they still are as "polite" as they ever were to one another. Being in different Houses does not help the situation, but maybe Christmas can. R&R please!
Chapter Three:
The Long Journey Home
The snow clashed against the crystal windows of the scarlet engine, making it almost impossible to distinguish anything if you were to look out. For Krystal, it was too boring. Given that none of her friends were going home that Christmas, she was alone in a compartment, and what would normally be window-gazing time was cut off by the white starch that considerably grew stronger by the second. She had resolved to fall asleep, as she had nothing else to do and was about to when the door of her compartment opened. She looked up to see a cheery-looking Michael standing in the doorway. Raising an eyebrow, she sat up.
"What do you want?" she asked, lightly aggravated by his presence. Not because it was unwanted, though it was, but because, she noted, part of her really wanted it to be him the person that stood beneath the doorframe. And she basically hated that she could stand, yet alone even want his presence with hers.
The truth of the matter was that even since that kiss; her mind had been practically forced to think about it day and night. And what bothered her most was that she actually did not mind thinking about it at all.
Michael entered the compartment and sat in the seat in front of her; he looked unusually in a good mood and that only brought her mood even more down still, as she was extremely curious to know why on earth he was in such a good mood and came to her with it as well. "What's with the smile, Potter?" she asked, sighing heavily, and folding her legs beside her.
"I'm only happy to be going home, Malfoy. Do lighten up a little." He looked out the window in a failed attempt to decoy his attention from her, but he ended up looking at her anyway. He attempted to search her face for any trace of welcoming emotion whatsoever, but could only find skepticism. "You must wonder why I'm here, aye?"
She slowly nodded her head, merely gazing at him fixedly, an eyebrow raised to furthermore prove her skeptic and uncomfortable stance. A gesture, Michael noted, would dully pass as extremely adorable were this any other girl. But given the fact that this wasn't any other girl, then the gesture could not really be classified as adorable, no matter how it looked as so. So by all means, he came to the conclusion that his mind was simply going in circles and that he would neither get anywhere soon, nor later.
The fact that he lacked a reason to have barged into her compartment was another contributing factor to his circling mind. He simply had seen her through the glass and decided to go in, possibly to bother her. But even that did not bring such satisfaction anymore. They were growing up and he supposed he ought to stop teasing her by now. But it was so fun. However, that reason was discarded, because he was simply not doing anything to drive her nutters at the moment and, to his amusement, he had no intention of doing so in the near future.
He could tell her he only wanted to drop by, but that would seem suspicious. After all, they were never even near to a civil term to each other, and he only wanting to be friendly and have a casual 'How-are-you-doing-I'm-fine' conversation did not fit his profile at all. At least, he thought, from her point of view. Though he supposed that he wasn't really intending on having said conversation with her.
Then there was the fact of that whole kiss ordeal, not that it had been so bad, but it hadn't been that good either. If only for the fact that the kiss had brought one too many questions into his already disturbed mind, questions that, given his choice, would rather remained unanswered, for the moment, anyway.
So, coming back to the point, why was he here? Well, he simply could not find a reason, and unfortunately, she would have to cope with a lack of a reason because he really did not feel up to making one up.
"Well, I must confess that I do not have a reason at all," he said honestly, folding his arms behind his head as if that statement was the most casual and natural thing to answer to a suspicious girl. This did more to improve her state of disturbance and she crossed her arms, lightly glaring at him now, though he could distinctly detect something in her gaze, not really quite sure of what.
"Then by all means, do leave if you lack a reason, Potter. I'd rather not be disturbed. I was trying to fall into a slumber."
"Many big words in there, Ravenclaw Queen," he retorted, lying down on the seat much to her annoyance. "But I'd rather remain here." He stretched over-exaggeratedly and yawned in the same fashion.
She rolled her eyes and shrugged it off. He could stay there if he wanted to and she would simply ignore him. Yeah, that was it. She lied down again on the seat and closed her eyes, with the distinct purpose of falling asleep without having to sustain his annoying traits any longer.
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Drip. . . Drip. . . Drip. . .
She felt so comfortable lying there that she didn't want to move.
Drip. . .
She stirred in her sleep, but did not wake up; instead, she rolled over to the other side.
Drip. . . Drip. . . Drip. . .
What was that incessant noise?! She rolled over again, sitting up only to bump headfirst into Michael's head. They both groaned in pain and Krystal saw stars before her eyes as they watered slightly. "Ow! What on earth are you doing there, Potter?!" she asked, rubbing her head to ease the pain.
"If you must know, your lowness, I was merely trying to close the window, as the snow was dripping into the compartment. I can only imagine the genius that decided to open it in the first place with this horrid weather." He managed to close the window and to 'Scourgify' the melted snow away. Krystal emitted a faint 'oh' in understanding and stared moodily at some lost point in the wall. "Foul mood when you've just waken up," said Michael, going over to his side again and sitting down. Krystal ignored him. "Ignorant, too," he continued, she still ignored him. "You snore."
"I do not!" she snapped, looking at him warningly.
"Oh, so I can catch you attention!" he said sarcastically and smirking somewhat. She grunted. He was insufferable, annoying, unbearable. . . "And to think I thought the reason for my existence had just been crushed."
"It should have been. Now kindly leave my compartment, Potter. I don't feel like putting up with you right now. Especially after you've just given me a headache with your humongous head." She rubbed the top of her head gingerly, a nasty face in her features.
He had just thought of a way to reply to that, but it was far too rash to say to a girl. No matter if it was Krystal Malfoy the girl that it was said to. So he came against using his vulgar remarks against her, though he would finally drive her insane, but he didn't saw it fit to do so by saying what he was so inclined to say at the moment. It was best to just go safe.
"But you'll have to put up with me, because I'm not leaving this compartment. I'm rather comfortable here." He bounced slightly in his seat. "Besides, we have to get off together so our families can greet us."
"They know for a fact that we do not like each other, Potter."
"True. But it would be far less troublesome for them."
"You never give up, do you?" she asked, more out of curiosity than anything else.
"Never. I supposed you would be used to it right now. Besides, you're exactly the same."
"And though I find it hard to get used to you, but that doesn't matter. What matters is for you to finally leave me alone on this holiday. It's bad enough that I have to give you a gift. Just, for once, have a little consideration and do not tease me, play jokes, or otherwise embarrass me in front of my family."
Ouch. That hurt. He knew for a fact that it was her family. But his father, mother, sisters and he had always been considered as family by the Weasleys. He was almost certain that she did not have to put it so rashly to him. He was starting to regret not using a certain rash comment with her before when he had had the chance and had so, apparently, foolishly let it pass up.
"I'll have the same consideration you have with me," he replied shortly, all trace of cheeriness leaving his features. Krystal nodded evasively at his condition and continued to rub at her head soothingly. "I can't wait for this nightmare to be over and I can go back to school already," he thought out loud.
"For once, Potter, I agree with you."
---Review Responses---
i hate george bush- LoL, nice name. I hope it brightens up your summer! Raining down here too… sucks, huh? Even though I love the rain.
anniePADFOOT- Hey! How are you, girl? Glad you're reading it! Oh, the D/Hr is coming along, slowly, but coming, I haven't forgotten yet.
Leezan-Thank you! You're too kind!
ThroughTheDarkness- Thank you very much, highly appreciated!
pippin- I adore your name, btw! Aw, thank you, you're very, very kind. I hope it lives up to how you want it to be!
Malkavian Kirie Croiff- Okay, thank you very much!
EgyptsStar- Thank you, thank you! But, not to worry, my dear! The story will be ten chapters long! Already have it mapped out, so I can have more fun with it. I just can't bring myself to do a story in under ten chapters, unless it is a one-shot. I find myself unable to, even if I try to. That sucks, eh? Well… not for you guys, I think. LoL. And thank you for the wonderful idea of the gift. Shall be using it. I must admit Krystal wasn't the only one beating her head over what to give Michael. Thanks for the idea, hun.
sylvergryffin- Parent-child interaction is coming on later in the story. I enjoy working with these characters because it is a very different thing that is not seen everywhere, I mean, son of Potter in Slytherin and of Malfoy in Ravenclaw. It is rather strange and I'm slowly working my way through them, given that I don't really have them mapped out completely. But I'm glad you like it and I hope I can continue to fill your expectations.
Madison27- I'll see to the admittal from both parties very soon, you know. Given as it is such a short fic, I need to rush things a bit.
Petetraj- She did… and very much. Oh, Christmas time will be very fun. I promise you that!
And special thanks to: Dracoluver2009, Slytherin Queen, Bulma, Queen of Saiya-jin, kalira and lavenderab for being kind enough to give a review!
Author's Note: Review, please! Next chapter: Draco and Ginny make an appearance at last, along with the Malfoy clan. So do the Potters.
-Blue